Urban Meyer Stepping Down: 10 Jobs for Which He'll Be an Immediate Candidate

Déjà vu has struck once again. Last year Urban Meyer resigned from Florida, only to reinstate himself as the coach a few days later. This time, it seems to be final. Florida is coming off an abysmal 7-5 season, definitely underachieving for this year’s expectations.

A lot of talk was swirling around the national media and the program if this year would be the one to see Steve Addazio step away from coaching. Addazio doesn’t seem to be the only victim of Florida and its non-productive offense for the 2010 season.

With all of this in mind, let’s keep a solid perspective. Meyer was 57-10 heading into this season at Florida. The guy has won and will win again, just where Meyer will pop up in 2011 is the pressing question. Let’s take a look at what jobs are currently open and where Meyer will most likely land.

Arkansas State

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LAFAYETTE, LA - DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Nick Noce #8 of Arkansas State avoids a tackle by Reggie Green #97 of Southern Miss during The New Orleans Bowl on December 20, 2005 at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana. The New Orleans Bowl was moved to Lafay

The Red Wolves have made quite a splash on the national stage this season, with an opening loss to Auburn. The Red Wolves have an experienced line, quarterback, and run the spread. Hook, line, sinker!

Not so fast my friend, to steal a line from Lee Corso. I don’t see a movement from Gainesville to the state of Arkansas any time soon. A head coach in the SEC just doesn’t seem to fit well in the Sun Belt. Meyer has had his time with non-automatic qualifying schools when he was at Utah and Bowling Green.

As much as State would like to have him, no chance.

Ball State

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators watches the action during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Field on October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

The Cardinals are a team that were made famous by Brady Hoke last season. Muncie, Indiana is surely abuzz about the possibilities. Again, this would seem like a team that would love to have Urban Meyer, but that move would not be even a lateral movement for him.

The Cardinals have shown that they can play hard, but this is just not a good fit for Meyer and Co.

Vanderbilt

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Larry Smith #10 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs with the ball during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

This actually may be an option. A far-off option. no doubt, but this would be another SEC opportunity. It would be an SEC opportunity that is in the East division, no less.

Vanderbilt showed itself and the country just a few years ago that it could compete with the right athletes. Jay Cutler is a name that any SEC fan would recognize. Vanderbilt could again be a viable team with the right recruiters and coaching staff.

Is the opportunity to stay in the SEC one that knocks on the door and is opened? I doubt it. It was definitely worth looking at though. I am sure the Commodores would love to have the type of coach he would be and the spread variation that he has made famous would definitely fit there. Maybe a Florida assistant, but not Meyer.

Pittsburgh

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Cameron Saddler #5 of the Pittsburgh Panthers waits to field a punt during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Pho

With Dave Wannstedt stepping down at his alma mater, many questioned what the reasons would be. Pitt wanted more wins, and it seemed that it could be viable in the Big East this season where the UConn Huskies took away the trophy.

Pitt is a place that coaches could win. The Big East is another automatic qualifying conference, so the BCS would be a shoo-in for a coach that could become a legend instantly. Recruiting is the name of the game, of course, and Meyer can do that with the best of them.

Having had success at Bowling Green, Meyer could win at Pitt. Again, it just doesn’t seem to be a good fit. 

Miami

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20: Lamar Miller #6 of the Miami Hurricanes runs for a touchdown during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Sun Life Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Of all the open positions, this could be the most likely destination if Meyer stays in coaching. Miami is in the same state, so the U-Haul fees would be low. On top of that, it is a school that bleeds tradition and has the talent pool to raise it to those levels again.

Urban knows the state of Florida and pulling kids there would be a no-brainer. The recent mediocrity that Miami has found itself in would no doubt bring pressure with the new position, but nothing that is seen in the SEC.

Miami is in the ACC, which again leads to the BCS at the end of the season. If Larry Coker can lead Miami to a championship, surely Meyer could. With all that being said, it still doesn’t look like this would be a destination that Meyer would look too hard at. It would no doubt be the best fit for Meyer, and Miami is sure to court him. The question would be: does he listen?

Florida

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TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Carl Moore #9 of the Florida Gators miises a catch during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Yes it seems absurd, but this did happen last year. There is no doubt that Florida would like to keep Meyer. This seems to be his decision and his decision only. Would the opportunity to be there again arise, and will the saga continue? No one really knows. If Florida would allow him to come back after a hiatus, it would be a surprise simply due to the results that were seen this year.

NFL

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Jim Kleinsasser #40 of the Minnesota Vikings against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The NFL seems to be one of the best fits for all parties. The NFL is a pressure cooker for coaches, but the level of intensity and daily rigors seem to be slightly lower than faced by an SEC coach. Will Meyer leave for the NFL? I am very doubtful that it would happen. However, with his desire to spend time with family and lower the intensity level, the NFL may be the best move.

Of any place that he would likely end up, Minnesota may be the opening he takes.

ESPN

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators walks off the field after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. Florida defeated Kentucky 48-14 for Meyer's

Come the next month or so, this is the most likely destination for Urban Meyer. Every coach seems to have that transition period where success leads to a downturn and rejuvenation away from the game comes in the form of college football analyst. Everyone would like to hear what goes on in the mind of a legend and looking at his record, that is exactly what he is.

ESPN will without a doubt have its hands out for his expertise, if only that tenure is short-lived. Meyer is only 46. If he takes this route, look for a return soon. 

His House

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 01: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators watches his team warm up before playing the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris

His home might be the most likely destination for him. There has been a lot of drama around the Florida program this year and with the abysmal season, compared to recent Florida standards, a good day's rest may do Meyer well. The rumor so far is that he wants more time with his family.

With that being the case, he may just take a hiatus from the job of coaching and all its rigors. There is no doubt that his legend is not dead. He is still young and will surely get the itch back. At this point, home or broadcast television seems to be the most likely of scenarios.